6. Two Years Later—

The blue sky was showing through scattered clouds, and the campus White magical academy at Corneria appeared quite peaceful. Lush, green, healthy grass grew along the precise lines to which it was guided, and painstakingly sturdy aged architecture touched the sky and implied an ancient tradition. Most of Corneria seemed at least somewhat peaceful, at least on the surface, at this time, but the academy was particularly good at portraying an energy of peace.

Peace, however, was not in the hearts of many of the other inhabitants of Corneria. Indeed, things were still peaceful on the outside for the most part, but there was unrest and worry. A conflict had come to Corneria's borders, and the people were agitated and nervous. Questing parties had been recalled from exploration expeditions to assist in battle to defend their motherland. Turmoil and unrest were the features in the minds and hearts of Cornerians at large. However, on the grand scale of the planet, this was nothing about which to care much, and the earth was peaceful. The sun still shone, the plants still flourished, and life continued as before, especially in the academy of White magic. The discipline of the acolytes, instructors, and others was prepared to deal with the occasional upsets without much turbulence. Yes, a few of the mages were more busy now, tending to the wounds of soldiers on leave, returning from the fight, but these were still minor skirmishes as best, and the academy was far from the front lines. One great exception, however, to the general complacency of the White mages was now entering.

Kiro, the powerful young White mage walked into his home academy at Corneria. He had been questing for two years, and the last time his footsteps had passed these halls, he was a mere acolyte. Now, he was a full mage, and one with field experience at that. The younger acolytes were excited to see him again, and asked for stories of his travels, but he politely brushed them off; he had important business, and it showed on his face.

Kiro walked with purpose down the old, familiar halls, passing faces both new and familiar on his way. There was no time, or rather, it was no time to stop and engage in idle chatter. Kiro remembered how he had felt when last his feet had carried him through these same passages. Had he really been so naive? What was it? Where had he made his mistake? What had he done or failed to do in his time as an acolyte that had made him vulnerable? Kiro recalled so many nights of studying and preparing, so much discipline. Yet, how could he have understood what he would really face, sheltered here in the academy that whole time? Everything about his time as an acolyte seemed so easy in hindsight. Sleepless nights of painstaking study were nothing compared to one night that had etched itself deeply into Kiro's soul. Discipline had been so easy at the academy, always surrounded by one's peers, usually in the sight of one's superiors, completely immersed in an environment of temperance, modesty, community, and self-control. Everything was different, now.

Kiro, by chance, happened to be passing by the potion shop on his way in towards the heart of the campus. Another skilled young mage, Cheria, noticed his arrival, and she tried to greet him, and, after seeing the expression on his face, to ask him what was the matter, but he could not even bear to look at her. His once cheerful expression had turned to a more grim and worrisome face than anyone who knew him had come to expect. His hands trembled imperceptibly as he walked swiftly to the wizard Dromnir's office. He hesitated, however, at the last step. He knew that once he crossed that threshold, there was no turning back. He would be committed to this course of action. What choice did he have, though? Kiro's mind was racing with the events that compelled him to return. He could still feel it in his body. He was desperate, but he had to be careful and discrete with what he said.

Meanwhile, inside, Dromnir had only minor worries. He was considering the number of acolytes who had expressed interest in joining a questing party, and the increased demand for them joining the front lines to assist in the effort. Dromnir wondered how he might address the king's requests, how he might encourage more acolytes to train for the field, but wrestled with the desire to keep them safe from harm. It would be preferable were none needed for such dangerous business, but Dromnir understood well how important it was to maintain the integrity of the kingdom of Corneria, and how White magic could do so much good to ease the suffering where it was most needed. There would be at least one address to the student body about this need, and members would be carefully selected to apply with the armed forces.

Kiro took a deep breath, pushed his resistance aside, stretched out his hand, and opened the door to Dromnir's office.

"Kiro! It is so good to see you again," the old master began, but soon after seeing Kiro's expression, it was clear that Kiro was not here for any pleasant reason. "What is the matter, my boy?"

"Master Dromnir, I must… speak with you in confidence… please."

"Of course," Dromnir replied with genuine concern. Kiro was a little bit new to adventuring, but he was still one of Dromnir's star pupils, after all. He had been taught what to expect. What could have him so rattled?

Kiro stepped into the small side-office with Dromnir and took a seat, letting out a large sigh, looking down at the table, deep in thought.

"What is it, Kiro?"

"…." Kiro merely took another deep breath, and let it out, his lip quivering, unable to find the words.

"… Goodness, Kiro, please tell me. You know I am bound to keep your confidence here. Whatever this is—"

"I…" Kiro interrupted, "Please, forgive me… I have sinned." Kiro scarcely more than muttered, a tear falling down his fair face.

The grave, yet sympathetic look on Dromnir's aged face did not change, though his heart ached with this new knowledge.

"What was your sin?"

"It's… a long story…"

So, I jumped ahead again. Kiro is now twenty years old or so. I know I have skipped a great deal this time, but it should be clear that, through Kiro's story, I plan to go back and fill in some events surrounding those questing years. The pivotal event around which I wanted this entire story to center at first is contained therein, but have I gotten there too quickly? Is all of this jumping forward years at a time too jarring? I hope not, since I have at least one more jump in mind for later, after we have seen what brought Kiro up to this point. Should I have filled in more chapters about Kiro's academy years? I skipped ahead, I suppose, because I had established the facets of Kiro's upbringing that I wanted to establish, and given what I wanted him to face in the field, there was nothing more I thought of that would really advance the plot at the academy. Alternatively, maybe I am going too slowly. Maybe I lingered for too long on a part of Kiro's life that was not central to my main event.

Whatever you think, please review and help me to improve my writing. I would like a wide spectrum of perspectives as well. It will help me to get a consensus view on my writing if I hear from multiple reviewers. Thank you.